Bathtub with contained shower curtain



s. E. DALTON, JR

BATHTUB WITH CONTAINED SHOWER CURTAIN March 29, 1949.

Filed June 10, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ri g 3 W J f 2 W m J a .c L r a %7///////J// ///////4 w x 6 m? v m g g L 7 R /4/ l W z x March 29, 1949.

S. E. DALTON, JR v BATHTUB WITH CONTAINED SHOWER CURTAIN 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed June lO, 1948 March 29, 1949.

s. E. DALTON, JR

BA'THTUB WITH CONTAINED SHOWER CURTAIN 3 Shets-Sheet 3 Fi1`d June 10,1948 Patented Mar. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Simon E. Dalton,Jr., Ventnor City, N. J.

Application June 10, 1948, Serial No. 32,065

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a bathtub andcontained shower curtain and has for an object to provide a bathtub. andcurtain, which curtain is in a rolled condition when not in use; but, onthe other hand, may be readily and quickly and hydraulically raised toprovide a protective shield when so desired.

The present invention is similar in several respects to the tub andcurtain as illustrated in my patent of March 9, 1943, No. 2,313,421, inthat there is a longitudinally extending chamber that houses thecurtain, so that when the curtain is in use and the bottom is in thechamber, there is no possibility of the water that splashes on thecurtain dropping or running to the floor.

However, in the patent above mentioned, the curtain was in the form ofsections which were nested in rather a deep chamber, and the curtain hadto be raised by hand; whereas in the present instance there is arelatively shallow longitudinally extending chamber in which is housed aroller curtain; and hydraulic means are used for elevating the curtainso that it is only necessary to manipulate a handle, which in turn isconnected with a two-way valve to raise ormlower teles copic tubes tothe ends of which are fastened the free ends of the curtain.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bathtub andcontained shower curtain, the tub having a longitudinally extendingrelatively shallow chamber which houses the curtain roller; and twodeeper wells at the opposite ends of the tub in which are mountedtelescopic tubes to which the free ends of the curtain are secured,while surrounding these two sets of telescopic tubes are larger tubeswhich form tracks for the sides of the curtain, these telescopic tubesin turn being operated by the admitting of water to the telescopic tubesto extend the same, and liberating the water to allow the tubes toreturn to their normal position.

still another object of the invention is to provide a bathtub andcontained shower curtain so that there is no possibility of the curtain,at its lower end, ever being outside the tub; and "also to provide arelatively simple means for elevating and lowerng the curtain by a meremanipulation of the hand. p Still another object of the invention is toprovide a tub with a contained curtain, having a longitudinal chamber inwhich is housed a roller curtain, there being a bar at the free end ofthe curtain so that when the curtain is in its normal or housedcondition, the chamber in the tub will be covered or sealed.

9 Claims. (CI. 4-149 With these and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in certain new and novel arrangements and combination of partsas will hereafter be more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings showing the preferred form and amodification,

Fig. 1 is a front view partly in section of the improved tub and showercurtain and showin the curtain in its elevated position,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, sectional view, similar toFig. 1, and showing the curtain in its lower position, the front wall ofthe tub being shown in section,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing thecurtain in its raised position. and the elevating means in section,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective showing a portion of the outer tubeand the connecting bar attached threto,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective showing the manner of joining thewell cover to which is secured the free end of the curtain, secured toone of the telescopic supports,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of two of thetelescopic tubes,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing a slightly modifiedform,

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatc view of the Operating valve,

Fig. 12 is a front view, partly in section, showing a slightly modifiedform wherein means are encased in a chamber for squeegeeing anddisinfecting the curtain,

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional View showing the squeegeeing anddisinfectng means as mounted in the supplemental chamber,

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the squeegee anddisinfectant means mounted in the supplemental chamber, and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective of the bracket, squeegee and wickfor disinfecting the curtain.

Referring now more particularly to the several views, and for themoment, to Fig. 1, there is shown a bathtub I, positioned between thewalis 2 and 3, although it will be understood, of course, the tub doesnot have to be set in between two walls. r

It will also be understood that the tub may be made in any desiredmanner, such as case, molded, stamped, laminated, or extrucled, or, inany other suitabl manner.

As also may be seen from Figs. 1 and there is formed in the front face iof the tub i at its top chamber 5, which chamber 5 is relativeiy shallowbut deep enough to hold a roller shower curtain 6 to be mentionedhereafter.

In my former patent, No. 2, 313, 421, of March 9, 1943, the front wallof the tub was provided with a similar chamber, but in that instance,the chamber was approximately the depth er" the front wall of the tub,and in this chamber were sectionai parts of a curtain.

Besides the chamber 5 there may be seen a Vertical well E near the oneend oi the front face i and a similar well 'i at' the other end of thefact of the tub i. rhe purpose of these two wells is each to house a setof telescopic tubes 8 and 9; and as the wells and tubes and other partsof these raising units are the same, a description of one will be adescription oi the other.

Referring to the set 8 it will be noticed that there are the lower tubes&a and 827 and the uppermost one sc, which telescope one within theother so that they can be nested or housed, as shown in Fig. 2.

As also may be seen in Fig. e, at the upper end of the two sections &aand Sb may be seen the packing glands Hi so that when water is forcedinto these tubes &a and tb, it will not leak where the tubes interfit.

In Fig. 9, I have shown the tubes %a and %b on an enlarged scale andalso have shown the packing glands lt. It will be noticed that thesetubes slide one within the other and their extended position (see Figs.1 and i) is limited by a stop ll at the top of an outer tube i& in whichthe set of telescopic tubes 8 are enclosed.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a slight modification of the section 8b, forinstance, as an example, wherein at the inner end of the tube in there asmall collar !3 that will impinge against a lug li above which end theremay be ::eera similar packing gland !5. In other words, nr form of tubemight be utilized 'to make up this telescopic set, and if the latter isused, it would not be necessary to have a stop at the top of the tube!2.

Extending through th set oi tubes i! may be seen the spring !E (seeFigs. 1, 2 and 4) which is held at its lower end by a pin I?, whichtends through the end of the tub, in line with the well 6; while theupper end of the spring -IB (see Fig. e) is Secured to an eyelet s whichis mounted in a small circuiar plate which turn is Secured to a cap orseal 28, which is in the form of a bar, and extends the entire leng i of'the tub and acts as a seal for the chamber in which the roller curtain6 is mounted, the bar 20 being perforated as at 2l' to permit the escapeof any moisture.

At `the upper end of the well E there will he noticed a collar 21 whichis tightly fitte'd within the well 6 and in which coilar 2! is mountedtrunnion 22 of the roller 6, so that this coiiar 2! with the trunnion 22may be positioned before the outer tube 52 is fastened to the coliar zl.

As heretofore mentioned the arrangenent is duplicated in the well 'i andwith the series oi tubes 9.

The outer tube H is split on its ihn-.er side at 23 so that theconnection between the upper cap 20 and its plug or plate !8 may slideand be guided within the walls iorming tne track 23.

The curtain material u' wnicn is attacieo to the roller ii may be madeof plastic or any of the well known materials tnat path curtains aremade of, and its Iree end will be iastened throughout its upper edge totne aiorementioned bar or cap 20.

In Fgs. 1 and. 11, I have shown a two-way valve zu with a hancle zo anuan niet hipe zu' that extends into the passageway Z' which runs theentire length 01' the Iont wall oi the tuo :a and has a port 28extencling into th weil u, and, of course, a Iurtner port ze exteiunginto the well '1.

''nus, when the valve 24 is turned, as shown in Fig. li, tne Water wipass into me two respective weis b' ana i; ana, oi course, rorce tnetelescopic tubes to tner extenueo position, as clearly shown n rug. i,tnus rasing Te seal na to WLhUn tne material Li' oI' tne curtain sattaciiea, so that the curtan is now in its protective position. On. theother nano', wnen the vave naiole ze s operated in the opposte(lli'ecton, tne Water 'suppy will be cut oI ana the spring n' ana smnarspring in the other set e wi telescope the tubes and tne water may passout or the outiet 3:1.

.L'his telescopng of the tubes, oi' course, will lower the curtain sothat it wil roll up on the roller 6 and the top bar or cap zu wll ntover the chamber 5, as may be seen in Fg. 6.

Thus, it will be seen that it is but a matter of a moment to elevate orlower the shower curtain by simply manpulating the valve hanaie 25 whichmay be positioned in any convenient place near the tub.

Also, as shown in Fig. 6, I provide a small drain 31 from the chamber 5so that any water coilected in this chamber 5 will drain off into themain drain 32 of the tub i.

As also shown in Fg. 1, I may provide a strip or bar 33 that will befastened to the stops ll which are mounted at the upper ends of theouter tubes !2, so as to brace these two tubes in which the respectivetelescopic tubes are mounted.

In Figs. 12 to 15 inclusve, I have shown a way of .keeping the chamber5" and curtain material 6" in a sanitary condition, and I have shown thechamber 5' of slightly greater depth than the chamber 5 shown in thepreferred form, although the arrangement for keeping the well sanitarycan be carried out in the preferred form.

It Will be understood that otherwise the tub and the Operating mechanismare identical.

Referring now specically to Fig. 12, there will be seen the tub i' withthe chamber '5' and the curtain material ii", together with thetelescopic tubes 8' and 9' all of which parts are identical with thoseshown in the preferred form.

There is also the valve 2 'i' for admitting water to the tubes 8' and9'.

However, as clearly seen in Fig. 14, I mount preferably a metal bracket50 which is supported at its ends by the legs si, and in the top of thebracket 58 there is a central slot 52 through which the curtain materialG" passes. This curtain 6" will be, of course, mounted on a rollerbracket 53 similar in all respects to that shown in the preferred form.

Thus, when the bracket 50 is mounted within the chamber 5' and islowered, the surplus water on the curtain will be removed by contactwith the metal walls 54 and 55 defining the slot 52.

Mounted on the underside of the `'bra'cket 50 15 a wick 56 that is fedthrough the tube 51 from a small reservoir 58 that may be mounted on thetop of the bracket 50. There may be a plurality of these oil reservoirs58 so that the wick 55 will be saturated throughout its length. In thisoil reservoir 58 may be used a pine oil or any other unobjectionabledisinfectant.

Thus, when the curtain is elevated hydraulically it will probably bedry, but when being lowered, any surplus water will be removed; and alsothe lubricated wick 56, bearing against the curtain, will keep it in asanitary condition. Also, the oil evaporating from the wick 56 will tendalways to keep the well fresh.

It will be understood that this bracket is to be removable, so that ifnecessary ever to remove the curtain, it will be readily accessible.

It is also understood that I may use other means of wiping the curtainand supplying a disinfectant. The one shown is illustrative only of oneway in which it may be accomplished.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the arrangement follows ingeneral prin ciples the tub shown in my Patent No. 2,313,421, with anencased curtain; but in this present instance the chamber does not haveto be nearly as deep, and hydraulic means are shown for elevating andlower-ing the curtain, so that it is only necessary to manipulate onehandle to raise and lower the curtain.

I have also shown means wherein the greater part of any water on thecurtain may be removed when the curtain is lowered and at the same t mea disinfectant may be wiped on to the curtain so that the well and thecurtain will al- Wavs be kept in a sanitary condition.

Having thus descr bed my invention, what I cla m is new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A ba htub hav ng an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curta n normally housed in said chamber, h drauica ly operated elevating means located at the opoosite ends of saidchamber. and the free end of the curtain connected to said hydraulicallyoperated means. whereby an operation of said hy rau ic :means will ,rase said curtain.

2. A bathtub having an open to chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber,hydraul cally operated elevating means located at the opoosite ends ofsaid chamber, the free end of the curtain connected to saidhydraulically operated means, whereby an operation of said hydraulicmeans will raise said curtain, and mechanical means assoc ated with thehydraulic means for lowering said curtain.

3. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber,hydraulically operated elevating means located at the opposite ends ofsaid chamber, the free end of the curtain connected to saidhydraulically .operated means, whereby an operation of said hydraulicmeans will raise said curtain, and spring means located within thehydraulic means for assistine in lowering said curtain.

4. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber,elevating means for the curtain in the form of telescopic tubes locatedat the opposite ends of the said chamber, the free end of the curtainconnected to the uppermost of the telescopic tubes, a water supply forsaid telescopic tubes,

means for supplying water to the tubes and for draining the water fromsaid tubes, and spring means within said telescopic tubes for assistingin lowering th curtain.

5. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, a capfor the open top chamber, the free end of the curtain secured to saidcap, elevating means for the cap in the form of telescopic tubes locatedat the opposite ends of said chamber, the cap connected to the uppermostof the telescopic tubes, a water pressure supply for said telescopictubes, and a valve for admitting the water to the tubes and fordr-aining the same, whereby the curtain may be raised or lowered bymanipulation of said valve.

6. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, a capfor the open top chamber, the free end of the curtain secured to saidcap, elevating means for the cap in the form of sets of telescopic tubeslocated at the opposite end-s of said chamber, the cap connected to theuppermost of the tubes, a split tube for each set of telescopic tubes tothus form a track for the cap, a water pressure supply for the said setsof telescopic tubes, and a single valve for admitting water to thetelescopic tubes and for draining the same, whereby the curtain may beraised or lowered by a manipulatlon of said valve.

7. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, a capfor the open top chamber, the free end of the curtain secured to saidcap, wells formed in the tub at each end of said chamber, elevatingmeans for the cap in the form of telescopic tubes located in said wells,the cap connected to the uppermost of the respective telescopic tubes,tracks for the cap in the form of tubes also located above the saidwells, and a valve for admitting the water to the telescopic tubes andfor draining the same, whereby the cap and the curtain may be raised orlowered by manipulation of said valve.

8. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, meansmounted in the chamber having a restricted opening for squeegeeing thecurtain, means also associated therewith for applying a disinfectant tosaid curtain, hydraulically operated elevating means located at theopposite ends of the chamber, and the free end of the curtain connectedto said hydraulically operated means whereby an operation of saidhydraulic means will raise and lower said curtain.

9. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front facethereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, meansmounted in the chamber having a restricted opening for squeegeeing thecurtain, a wick associated with said squeegeeing means, reservoirs fordisinfectant connected to said wick end and also mounted in saidchamber, hydraulically operated elevating means located at the oppositeends of the chamber, and the free end of the curtain connected to saidhydraulically operated means, whereby an operation of said hydraulicmeans will raise and lower said curtain and squeegee and disinfect thesame.

SIMON E. DALTON JR.

No references cited.

